Marie Sklodowska Curie Action - Postdoctoral individual Fellowship at IPBS-Toulouse, France (Mi[...]

euraxess.ec.europa.eu - Jobboard; France; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research institute in Toulouse is seeking a PhD candidate for a project on the effects of obesity on breast cancer. The role involves exploring lipid transfer mechanisms and their role in tumor progression. Candidates must have strong skills in mammalian cell culture and functional assays, along with at least one first author accepted paper. This position offers the opportunity to work within a vibrant international research community and develop your career in a supportive environment.

Prestations

Career development support

Vibrant international research community

Work at the cutting edge of research technologies

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a PhD or have it before the application deadline.
• At least one first author accepted paper is mandatory.
• Strong expertise in mammalian cell culture, including establishing co-culture systems, is highly valued.
• Candidates should be comfortable with functional cell assays (e.g., proliferation, migration/invasion) and molecular techniques.
• Background in cell metabolism, ideally including functional metabolic assays.

Responsabilités

• Trace the fate of transferred lipids and explore associated metabolic reprogramming.
• Identify the key molecular mediators of lipid exchange between adipocytes and tumor cells.
• Determine the impact of these processes on tumor progression.

Connaissances

Mammalian cell culture

Functional cell assays

Gene expression analysis

Gene silencing

Immunofluorescence microscopy

Formation

PhD

Description du poste

Organisation / Company Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Toulouse Department Biology Laboratory Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology (Toulouse, France)

• Research topic

Obesity and effect on Lipid-Mediated Tumor–Adipocyte Dialogue in Breast Cancer

Obesity is associated with more aggressive forms of breast cancer (BC), regardless of menopausal status. This is particularly evident in luminal BC, the most common subtype, suggesting that host-related factors in obese women promote the development of more aggressive tumors.

Our team was among the first to demonstrate that mammary adipocytes located at the tumor invasive front undergo a reduction in size and lipid content (Dirat et al., Cancer Research, 2011). Using co-culture models, we showed that mature adipocytes (obtained from in vitro–differentiated preadipocytes) can supply lipids to tumor cells and induce metabolic remodeling that enhances their aggressiveness (Wang et al., JCI Insight, 2017).

In obesity, mammary adipocytes exhibit hypertrophy; however, this does not induce a fibro-inflammatory response (Fallone et al., International Journal of Obesity, 2025). Together, these findings suggest that lipid transfer may be a key event underlying the increased aggressiveness of BC in obesity.

Our preliminary results support this hypothesis both in vivo (analysis of human tumor biopsies) and in vitro (co-cultures of cancer cells with primary adipocytes derived from lean and obese patients). The aim of this project is to:

• Trace the fate of transferred lipids and explore associated metabolic reprogramming,
• Identify the key molecular mediators of lipid exchange between adipocytes and tumor cells,
• Determine the impact of these processes on tumor progression.

Keywords: Cancer – Tumor Microenvironment – Breast Cancer- Cell Metabolism – Lipids – Adipocytes - Obesity

Experience/Skills required:

• Candidates must hold a PhD or having it before the application deadline
• At least one first author accepted paper is mandatory
• Strong expertise in mammalian cell culture, including establishing co-culture systems, is highly valued.
• Candidates should be comfortable with functional cell assays (e.g., proliferation, migration/invasion) and molecular techniques such as gene expression analysis or gene silencing.
• Background in cell metabolism, ideally including functional metabolic assays

Proficiency in immunofluorescence microscopy is a plus.

Supervisors: Pr. Catherine Muller (Team leader)

Benefits

• Work at the cutting edge of molecular biology, structural biology, imaging, and omics technologies in Toulouse, France
• Join a vibrant international research community, with connections across Toulouse and throughout Europe
• Benefit from career development support, including mentoring for fellowship writing, networking, and future job applications

Application Process

• Application Process
• Send a detailed CV, a cover letter outlining your research interests and motivation for joining the group, and the contact information of at least 2 professional references (potential supporters and mentors) to:

Email subject line: IPBS_PF Application: Catherine Muller_ [Candidate Name]

• Internal deadline: 15 January 2026

Don’t hesitate to apply now as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

• Expected Starting date: From September 2026 to September 2027 depending on the funding